Virus transport and survival after land application of sewage sludge

Persistence of viruses in desert soils amended with anaerobically digested sewage sludge

Pima County, Ariz., is currently investigating the potential benefits of land application of sewage sludge. To assess risks associated with the presence of pathogenic enteric viruses present in the sludge, laboratory studies were conducted to measure the inactivation rate (k = log(10) reduction per day) of poliovirus type 1 and bacteriophages MS2 and PRD-1 in two sludge-amended desert agricultural soils (Brazito Sandy Loam and Pima Clay Loam). Under constant moisture (approximately -0.05 x 10 Pa for both soils) and temperatures of 15, 27, and 40 degrees C, the main factors controlling the inactivation of these viruses were soil temperature and texture. As the temperature increased from 15 to 40 degrees C, the inactivation rate increased significantly for poliovirus and MS2, whereas, for PRD-1, a significant increase in the inactivation rate was observed only at 40 degrees C. Clay loam soils afforded more protection to all three viruses than sandy soils. At 15 degrees C, the inactivation rate for MS2 ranged from 0.366 to 0.394 log(10) reduction per day in clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. At 27 degrees C, this rate increased to 0.629 log(10) reduction per day in clay loam soil and to 0.652 in sandy loam soil. A similar trend was observed for poliovirus at 15 degrees C (k = 0.064 log(10) reduction per day, clay loam; k = 0.095 log(10) reduction per day, sandy loam) and 27 degrees C (k = 0.133 log(10) reduction per day, clay loam; k = 0.154 log(10) reduction per day, sandy loam). Neither MS2 nor poliovirus was recovered after 24 h at 40 degrees C. No reduction of PRD-1 was observed after 28 days at 15 degrees C and after 16 days at 27 degrees C. At 40 degrees C, the inactivation rates were 0.208 log(10) reduction per day in amended clay loam soil and 0.282 log(10) reduction per day in sandy loam soil. Evaporation to less than 5% soil moisture completely inactivated all three viruses within 7 days at 15 degrees C, within 3 days at 27 degrees C, and within 2 days at 40 degrees C regardless of soil type. This suggests that a combination of high soil temperature and rapid loss of soil moisture will significantly reduce risks caused by viruses in sludge.

Mobility and survival of Salmonella Typhimurium and human adenovirus from spiked sewage sludge applied to soil columns

AIMS

This study investigated the survival and transport of sewage sludge-borne pathogenic organisms in soils.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Undisturbed soil cores were treated with Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium-lux (STM-lux) and human adenovirus (HAdV)-spiked sewage sludge. Following an artificial rainfall event, these pathogens were analysed in the leachate and soil sampled from different depths (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm) after 24 h, 1 and 2 months. Significantly more STM-lux and HAdV leached through the soil cores when sewage sludge was present. Significantly more STM-lux were found at all soil depths, at all time periods in the sewage sludge treatments, compared to the controls. The rate of decline of STM-lux in the controls was more rapid than in the sewage sludge treatments. Survival and transport of HAdV were minimal.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of sewage sludge can significantly influence the transport and survival of bacterial pathogens in soils, probably because of the presence of organic matter. Environmental contamination by virus is unlikely because of strong soil adsorption.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study suggests that groundwater contamination from vertical movement of pathogens is a potential risk and that it highlights the importance of the treatment requirements for biosolids prior to their application to land.

Evaluation of fecal contamination indicators (fecal coliforms, somatic phages, and helminth eggs) in ryegrass sward farming

The effect of soil supplementation with biosolids at various ratios on fecal-origin microorganism activity was evaluated in a ryegrass sward farm. Fifteen plots with 3 different soil and biosolid mixture ratios were assessed. Soil and grass were sampled over a period of 4 months (days 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 120) for soil and on days 75 and 120 for grass, corresponding to first and second grass harvest periods. We analyzed fecal coliforms, somatic phages, helminth eggs, and environmental factors, such as rainfall, temperature, and moisture. The fecal coliforms decreased by 2 logarithmic units (LU) in all soils containing biosolids and by 1 LU in the soil alone and in biosolid control plots alone. The concentration of somatic phages decreased to 2 to 3 LU in the soil containing biosolids and to 1 to 2 LU in the control plots. In contrast, however, there was a noticeable increase in helminth eggs on days 75 ad 120, but not in the soil control alone. Maximum concentrations (10(2) CFU/g TS; colony forming units per gram total solids) of fecal coliforms were found on the grass and in other samples, but the concentrations of phages and helminth eggs were below detection limits. Environmental factors did not significantly influence the results, and grass production increased from 35 to 50 Ton/Ha (tons per hectare) with biosolid supplementation, as compared with controls (14 Ton/Ha).

Survival potential of Escherichia coli and Enterococci in subtropical beach sand: implications for water quality managers

Fecal bacteria have traditionally been used as indicator organisms to monitor the quality of recreational waters. Recent work has questioned the robustness of traditional indicators, particularly at seawater bathing beaches. For example, a study of Florida beaches found unexpectedly high abundances of Escherichia coli, fecal coliforms, and enterococci in beach sand. The aim of the present study was to explain these abundances by assessing the survival of E. coli and enterococci in beach sand relative to seawater. We used a combination of quantitative laboratory mesocosm experiments and field observations. Results suggested that E. coli and enterococci exhibited increased survivability and growth in sand relative to seawater. Because fecal bacteria are capable of replicating in sand, at least under controlled laboratory conditions, the results suggest that sand may be an important reservoir of metabolically active fecal organisms. Experiments with "natural" mesocosms (i.e., unsterilized sand or water rich in micropredators and native bacteria) failed to show the same increases in fecal indicators as was found in sterile sand. It is postulated that this was due to predation and competition with indigenous bacteria in these "natural" systems. Nonetheless, high populations of indicators were maintained and recovered from sand over the duration of the experiment as opposed to the die-off noted in water. Indicator bacteria may wash out of sand into shoreline waters during weather and tidal events, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of these indicators as predictors of health risk and complicating the interpretations for water quality managers.

Leaching of phage from Class B biosolids and potential transport through soil

The objective of this study was to investigate leaching and transport of viruses, specifically those of an indigenous coliphage host specific to Escherichia coli ATTC 15597 (i.e., MS-2), from a biosolid-soil matrix. Serial extractions of 2% and 7% (solids) class B biosolid matrices were performed to determine the number of phage present in the biosolids and to evaluate their general leaching potential. Significant concentrations of coliphage were removed from the biosolids for each sequential extraction, indicating that many phage remained associated with the solid phase. The fact that phage was associated with or attached to solid particles appeared to influence the potential for release and subsequent transport of phage under saturated-flow conditions, which was examined in a series of column experiments. The results indicated that less than 8% of the indigenous coliphage initially present in the biosolids leached out of the biosolid-soil matrix. A fraction of this was subsequently transported through the sandy porous medium with minimal retention. The minimal retention observed for the indigenous phage, once released from the biosolids, was consistent with the results of control experiments conducted to examine MS-2 transport through the porous medium.

Bioaerosol emission rate and plume characteristics during land application of liquid class B biosolids

This study investigated bioaerosol emission rates and plume characteristics of bioaerosols generated during land application of liquid Class B biosolids. In addition, it compared the rate of aerosolization of coliphages and total coliform bacteria during land application of liquid Class B biosolids to the rate of aerosolization during land application of groundwater inoculated with similar concentrations of Escherichia coli and coliphage MS2. Air samples were taken immediately downwind of a spray applicator as it applied liquid (approximately 8% solids) biosolids to farmland near Tucson, Arizona. Air samples were also collected immediately downwind of groundwater seeded with MS2 and E. coli applied to land in an identical manner. Air samples, collected with liquid impingers, were taken in horizontal and vertical alignment with respect to the passing spray applicator. Vertical and horizontal sample arrays made it possible to calculate the flux of microorganisms through a virtual plane of air samplers, located 2 m downwind of the passing spray applicator. Neither coliphages nor coliform bacteria were detected in air downwind of spray application of liquid Class B biosolids. Based on limits of detection for the methodology, the rate of aerosolization during land application of liquid biosolids was calculated to be less than 33 plaque forming units (PFU) of coliphage and 10 colony forming units (CFU) of coliform bacteria per meter traveled by the spray applicator. The rate of aerosolization during land application of seeded groundwater was found to be, on average, 2.02 x 10(3) CFU E. coli and 3.86 x 10(3) PFU MS2 aerosolized per meter traveled by the spray applicator. This is greater aerosolization than was observed during land application of biosolids. Because concentrations of coliphages and coliforms were similar in the liquid biosolids and the seeded water, itwas concluded that some property of biosolids reduces aerosolization of microorganisms relative to groundwater. Additional experiments utilizing a novel air sampling protocol showed that the duration of bioaerosol exposure immediately (2 m) downwind of biosolids spray application is brief and the plume of bioaerosols generated is discrete. Additional air samples showed that aerosolization of coliphages and coliform bacteria after liquid biosolids have been applied to land does not occur at detectable levels.

Comparison of PCR and cell culture for detection of enteroviruses in sludge-amended field soils and determination of their transport

PCR and cell culture assays for enteroviruses were conducted on soil samples collected from an experimental farm that had received mesophilic anaerobically digested sludge for the past 7 years. Of 24 samples assayed, 21 samples were positive by PCR, implying that at least some viral nucleic acid sequences remained intact. However, these viral particles were unable to infect the Buffalo Green Monkey cell line used in subsequent cell culture assays. It is significant that positive PCR detection of nucleic acid sequences occurred even though the most recent sludge application was 3 months prior to soil sampling. Viral nucleic acid sequences were detected by PCR at points vertically and laterally displaced from sludge injections, illustrating significant transport of viruses. Rainfall and irrigation events may have contributed to viral transport.

Hazards from pathogenic microorganisms in land-disposed sewage sludge

Sewage sludge is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds of biological and mineral origin that are precipitated from wastewater and sewage during primary, secondary, and tertiary sewage treatment. Present in these sludges are significant numbers of microorganisms that include viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, and helminth pathogens. The treatment of sludge to reduce biochemical oxygen demand, solids content, and odor is not always effective in reducing numbers of pathogens. This becomes a public health concern because the infectious dose for some of these pathogens may be as low as 1 particle (virus) to 50 organisms (Giardia). When sludge is applied to land for agricultural use and landfill compost, these pathogens can survive from days (bacteria) to months (viruses) to years (helminth eggs), depending on environmental conditions. Shallow aquifers can become contaminated with pathogens from sludge and, depending on groundwater flow, these organisms may travel significant distances from the disposal site. Communities that rely on groundwater for domestic use can become exposed to these pathogens, leading to a potential disease outbreak. Currently, methods to determine the risk of disease from pathogens in land-disposed sludge are inadequate because the sensitivity of pathogen detection is poor. The application of recombinant DNA technology (gene probes and polymerase chain reaction) to environmental samples may provide increased sensitivity for detecting specific pathogens in land-disposed sludge and greatly improved risk assessment models for our exposure to these sources of pathogens.

Poliovirus retention in soil columns after application of chemical- and polyelectrolyte-conditioned dewatered sludges

The transport of poliovirus type 1 (strain LSc) was studied in Red Bay sandy loam columns that were treated with chemical- or polyelectrolyte-conditioned dewatered sludges and then leached with natural rainwater under saturated flow conditions. Poliovirus was concentrated in the alum and ferric chloride sludges that were produced following the flocculation of virus-seeded raw sewage. Virtually complete inactivation of the virus was observed following the flocculation of raw sewage or the stabilization of alum and ferric chloride sludges with lime at pH 11.5. Poliovirus was also concentrated in polyelectrolyte-conditioned dewatered sludge that was produced from virus-seeded, anaerobically digested sludge. Despite the saturated flow conditions for a sustained period, no viruses were detected in the leachates of the soil columns that were treated with these chemical and chemically treated sludges. Since the viruses were mostly associated with the solids in these sludge samples, it is believed that they were immobilized along with the sludge solids in the top portion of the soil columns.